The Commission continues
not to publish figures on contributions to the World Food Programme,
UNHCR and "other", as it has done previously and there
remains a significant shortfall for both the Africa Trust Fund
and Syria Trust Fund.

The Commission continues
not to publish figures on contributions to the World Food Programme,
UNHCR and "other", as it has done previously and there
remains a significant shortfall for both the Africa Trust Fund
and Syria Trust Fund.

Slovenia has created an
additional 30 places for relocation, Estonia has created 20 additional
places and Italy has created 10 additional places, bringing the
total number of places actually provided to 7690 (out of the
160,000 pledged).

28 people from Greece have
been relocated to Slovenia since 10 May 2016, bringing the total
to be relocated from Greece at 909 (out of 66,400).

591 out of 39,600 have
been relocated from Italy: no change since May 10.

10.5.16

Figures from the Commission were published
on Tuesday 10 May, without an official press release or comment
from the European Commission.

Despite significant changes to the number
of Frontex officials in both Samos and Leros (where there was
a reduction), and in Lesvos and Chios (where there was an increase)
the total number of Frontex officials has only changed by +3.

There has also been an increase in the
number of EASO officials in Lesvos, by +7.

Italy

Lampedusa: 500; Frontex officials: 27
(+13); EASO officials: 4 (/)

Pozzallo: 300; Frontex officials: 23 (+9);
EASO officials: 4 (/)

Porte Empedocle: 300; Frontex officials:
0 (/); EASO officials: 0 (/)

Augusta: 300; Frontex officials: 0 (/);
EASO officials: 0 (/)

Taranto: 300; Frontex officials: 17 (+13);
EASO officials: 5 (+1)

Trapani: 400; Frontex officials: 21 (+6);
EASO officials: 4 (/)

There has been a 87% increase in the number
of Frontex officials deployed to Italy (in the capacity of debriefing;
screening and fingerprinting teams; and supporting officers).
There is also one additional EASO official, based in Taranto.

The Commission continues not to publish
figures on contributions to the World Food Programme, UNHCR and
"other", as it has done previously and there remains
a significant shortfall for both the Africa Trust Fund and Syria
Trust Fund.

There are four less EASO
officials in Lesvos than the last figures released on 22 April
2016. This includes three less Member States expers under the
EU - Turkey Agreement, two less interpreters, and one additional
expert for information provision on relocation.

Italy

Lampedusa: 500; Frontex
officials: 14 (/); EASO officials: 4 (/)

Pozzallo: 300; Frontex
officials: 14 (/); EASO officials: 4 (-1)

Porte Empedocle: 300;
Frontex officials: 0 (/); EASO officials: 0 (/)

Augusta: 300; Frontex
officials: 0 (/); EASO officials: 0 (/

Taranto: 300; Frontex
officials: 4 (/); EASO officials: 4 (/)

Trapani: 400; Frontex
officials: 15 (/); EASO officials: 4 (-1)

There are two fewer Member
State experts for EASO in Italy, in Pozzallo and Trapani.

The Commission continues
not to publish figures on contributions to the World Food Programme,
UNHCR and "other", as it has done previously and there
remains a significant shortfall for both the Africa Trust Fund
and Syria Trust Fund.

The increase in EASO personnel is made
up of Member States' experts under the EU-Turkey Agreement. This
is in addition to a total number of 63 translators, two press
officers and 61 Member State experts for Greece in total. A majority
of these are situated in Lesvos.

Italy

Lampedusa: 500; Frontex officials: 14
(/); EASO officials: 4 (-1)

Pozzallo: 300; Frontex officials: 14 (/);
EASO officials: 5 (+1)

Porte Empedocle: 300; Frontex officials:
0 (/); EASO officials: 0 (/)

Augusta: 300; Frontex officials: 0 (/);
EASO officials: 0 (/)

Taranto: 300; Frontex officials: 4 (/);
EASO officials: 4 (/)

Trapani: 400; Frontex officials: 15 (/);
EASO officials: 5 (/)

There has only been one
change in the situation of officials in Italy: one less Member
State expert for EASO in Lampedusa and one more in Pozzallo.

According to Greek
Reporter (link):
"As of Monday 18 April, the "administrative restriction"
process for asylum applicants on Lesvos and Chios is in effect,
meaning that they cannot be detained in registration centres
after 25 days." Currently there are 3,771 registered refugees
on Lesvos alone, 1,957 on Chios and 595 on Samos.

Again, the apparent total
official "hotspot" detention capacity on the three
islands - according to the Commission's new figures - is only
3,450, despite a total number of 6,323 registered refugees on
the three islands to date.

With regard to Greece,
Amnesty
reported recently
(link) that "around 4,200 people are currently detained
at the two sites" (Moria on Lesvos and VIAL on Chios). Yet
the apparent total official "hotspot" detention capacity
on the two islands - according to the Commission's new figures
- is only 2,600, which has decreased from a total of nearly 5,000
in February.

Running total since September
2015: 999 people returned (824 on Frontex joint return flights,
175 on Italian flights).

Italy has deported 21 people
to Tunisia since the beginning of this year; Greece has apparently
returned nobody. Joint return flights have been organised through
Frontex by both Italy and Greece, in Italy's case it appears
to have been the only participating state in a February "joint"
operation to return 22 people to Nigeria.

A joint return flight organised
in February by Greece took 95 people to Georgia and Armenia from
Spain, Greece, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Lithuania, Iceland and
Belgium. 24 people were returned to Pakistan on 17 March on a
joint return flight organised by Greece and involving Austria,
Hungary and Bulgaria as well.

The most notable change
is that the Commission does not seem to be publishing figures
on contributions to the World Food Programme, UNHCR and "other",
as it has done previously. This document shows that Hungary has
increased its contribution to the Africa Trust Fund by 0.2
million. The Netherlands has promised 5 million for the
Syria Trust Fund (it had pledged nothing to this fund as of 1
February 2016). Slovakia's contribution to the Syria Trust Fund
has moved from nothing to 3 million.

Biggest change of the week
is the build up of hotspot staff and capacity in Greece (Italy
unchanged): In Lesvos reception capacity up from 1,480 to 2,709
and Frontex officials up from 178 to 184. In Chios reception
capacity up from 110 to 2,250 and Frontex from 93 to 99. In Samos
reception capacity up from 250 to 650 and Frontex from 40 to
53. Leros Frontex up from 29 to 31 and on Kos capacity up from
0 to 290 and Frontex up from 41 to 54 officials.

No change since last week.
The total number of people returned through joint return flights
since September 2015 remains at 683. plus 153
from Italy (no change), none from Greece - same as five weeks
ago.

8 more people have been
relocated from Italy (257 up from 249 on 18.1.16). Otherwise
there is no change. 17 Member States offered only 4,237 places
out of a total of 160,000 places they are supposed to have made
available.

No change since last week.
The total number of people returned through joint return flights
since September 2015 remains at 683. plus 153
from Italy (no change), none from Greece - same as four weeks
ago.

No changes since 18.1.16.
Huge shortfalls remain in the financial pledges to the Africa
Trust Fund, Syria Trust Fund, humanitarian aid programmes (World
Food Programme, UNHCR, others). The shortfall to the Africa Trust
Fund has decreased minutely, by 0.04 million. The Czech
Republic has upped its contribution by 0.14 million, while
Hungary has decreased its contribution by from 0.6m to
0.5m.

Need are increasing but
very little is being provided. Hungary has declared a need for
100,000 more wool blankets and has also upped the numbers of
protective face masks and raincoats required. Hundreds of heated
accommodation containers are still needed, amongst other things.

9 more people have been
relocated from Italy (249 up from 240).Greece up from 75 from
82 to 157 Otherwise there is no change. 17 Member States offered
only 4,237 places out of a total of 160,000 places they are supposed
to have made available - unchanged for weeks.

No change since last week.
The total number of people returned through joint return flights
since September 2015 remains at 683. plus 153
from Italy (no change), none from Greece - same as since beginning.

50 more people have been
relocated from Italy (240 up from 190 on 12.1.16). Otherwise
there is no change. 17 Member States offered only 4,237 places
out of a total of 160,000 places they are supposed to have made
available.

Some more EASO staff in
Pozzallo and Lampedusa, four more Member State experts now working
for EASO in Lesvos (up from three to seven). One less Frontex
officer in Lampedusa (17 down from 18) but one more in Pozzallo
(14 up from 13).

Huge shortfalls remain
in the financial pledges to the Africa Trust Fund, Syria Trust
Fund, humanitarian aid programmes (World Food Programme, UNHCR,
others). The shortfall to the Africa Trust Fund has decreased
minutely, by 0.04 million. The Czech Republic has upped
its contribution by 0.14 million, while Hungary has decreased
its contribution by from 0.6m to 0.5m.

Need are increasing but
very little is being provided. Hungary has declared a need for
100,000 more wool blankets and has also upped the numbers of
protective face masks and raincoats required. Hundreds of heated
accommodation containers are still needed, amongst other things.

12.1.16

European Commission: HOW
DO YOU TRY AND HIDE CONTINUING BAD NEWS - YOU PUT A WEEK OLD
DATE ON THE PRESS RELEASE:

Comment on the current
situation: The relocation plan is simply not working, "returns"
are at a standstill as are Member State pledges of finance for
the Africa Trust Fund, Syria Trust Fund, Humanitarian aid to
World Food Programme and UNHCR.

- State
of Play of Hotspot capacity (pdf) In Lesvos: Frontex:
131 officers (Debriefing, screening, fingerprinters and registration
teams - althougth it appears from reports that quite a few are
away for a Xmas break - Border Surveillance Officers, Advance
Level Document Officer) 11 "hotspots" are planned but
only three - Lampedusa (17 Frontex offcials) and Trapani (4 Frontex
officials) in Italy and Lesvos - are operational.

- State
of Play of Hotspot capacity (pdf) In Lesvos: Now: Frontex:
now 131 officers up 17 (Debriefing, screening, fingerprinters
and registration teams - althougth it appears from reports that
quite a few are away for a Xmas break - Border Surveillance Officers,
Advance Level Document Officer) 11 "hotspots" are planned
but only two - Lampedusa and Lesvos - are operational.

Comment on the current
situation: The "relocation" process is at a complete
standstill and worse the number of "relocation" offers
seems to have actually fallen from3,546 places
on 6 November to 3,216 now.

- Returns
since September
(pdf): Total "returns" organised by Frontex: 609 people
(up 1) plus 153 from Italy (no change),
none from Greece. Italy was the "Organising Member State"
for two return flights to Nigeria. Returns flights have been
to: Kosovo, Nigeria, Albania, Pakistan and Georgia.

Summary: No more offers of "relocation" places in past
two weeks, so still only 3,216 places offered to meet need for
160,000. This stasis is feeding into the new barriers (both physical
and new "rules" limiting entry) being constructed and
putting pressure on Serbia, Macedonia and Greece.

- Relocation
offers by Member States (pdf): 14 Member States 3,216
places (out of 160,000).
159 (was 168 oreviously) people have been "relocated".
There have been no more offers of relocation.

&COPY; Statewatch ISSN 1756-851X.
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